Kenneth Plummer

Kenneth B. Plummer, age 55, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, after a courageous 17-year battle with 3 different cancers. He also suffered a stroke in 2011. Kenneth was born on August 1, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan to Kenneth and Kathleen (O'Rourke) Plummer. In 1972 the family moved to Cary, North Carolina where they lived until 1976. At that time, they moved to Rochester. Ken graduated from John Marshall High School in 1980. He joined the Army National Guard of Minnesota from 1981 to 1984. Ken then joined the United States Air Force. He served in Germany and California as a Law Enforcement Specialist. After four years of active duty Ken then became a member of the Air Force Reserve 14 years as an Aeromedical Evacuation Specialist. Ken was called back to active duty in 1991 to serve in Operation Desert Storm. He achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant when he retired after 22 years of military service in 2003. Ken graduated from Rochester Community College in 1991 with a degree in Law Enforcement. He became a Detention Deputy with the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. In 1995 he became a Police Officer with the Rochester Police Department until his retirement in 2003 for health reasons. In 1991, Ken married Marsha Swanton of Rochester. They have one child, Rowan. Marsha is a long time Registered Nurse at St. Mary's Hospital and was a strong advocate and very supportive in Ken's long battle with cancer. Ken enjoyed reading (history), camping, boating, model building, and his dog, Cosmo. Ken's legacy: Service to Family, Community, and Country and his catholic faith. Ken is survived by his wife Marsha, child Rowan, father Ken Plummer, brother Kevin (Karen) Plummer, niece Kait (Travis) Wyman and daughter Eden, and nephews Nick (Keri) Blace and daughter Emma, Jon Plummer, sister-in-law Karen Swanton. He was preceded in death by his mother Kathleen, his grandparents, parents-in-law, William and Marjorie Swanton, brother-in-law Kenneth Swanton. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at St. Pius X Catholic Church 1315 12th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be Friday, June 8, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Burial with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery Rochester. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com